Dixie Moon stays on turf to race the boys in Cup and Saucer Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Grade 1 Natalma Stakes runner-up Dixie Moon will stay on turf to face males in Sunday’s $225,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles at Woodbine.

Dixie Moon was also nominated to Saturday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Mazarine Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Tapeta, but trainer Catherine Day Phillips said she wanted to keep her on the grass.

“I think she loves the turf, and this is really the only option to get back on the turf with her,” she said.

Dixie Moon earned a 74 Beyer Speed Figure in her career debut in a seven-furlong sprint on Tapeta on Aug. 19. She followed that with a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes on Sept. 17, leading into deep stretch of the one-mile race.

Day Phillips said she’s been pleased with the way Dixie Moon is coming into the Cup and Saucer.

“I think she actually came out of the Natalma in better shape than her maiden race,” she said. “Her maiden race seemed to knock her back a little bit. She’s been really doing well since the Natalma.”

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Key Contenders

Dixie Moon, by Curlin
Beyers: 69-74

◗ Dixie Moon drew post 3 in the full field of 12 and will be ridden by Eurico Da Silva. “It looks like she has enough natural speed that Eurico will hopefully be able to put her into a nice spot,” she said.

Strike Me Down, by Tapit
Beyer: 63

◗ He rallied from well off the pace to be third over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga on Aug. 26 in his only start.

◗ Trainer Graham Motion has had success shipping into Woodbine this season, with three wins from nine starts and six in-the-money finishes.

Neepawa, by Scat Daddy
Beyers: 54-66

◗ He finished ninth as the 2-1 favorite in the same maiden special weight on turf at Saratoga on Aug. 26 that Strike Me Down finished third in.

◗ He could be a win threat if he can replicate his career debut, when he finished third, beaten a half-length, Aug. 5 at Saratoga.

Flight Deck, by Lemon Drop Kid
Beyer: 62

◗ He’s back in just two weeks following a victory in his career debut over seven furlongs on turf Sept. 24, and he is bred to go long.

Cooler Mike, by Giant Gizmo

Last 3 Beyers: 59-69-43

◗ He improved his career record to two wins from three starts with a one-length victory in an Ontario-sired allowance over seven furlongs on Tapeta on Sept. 20, and will make his turf debut in this spot.

Ruling Angel draws six

Earlier on the card, a field of six 3-year-old fillies will run six furlongs on Tapeta in the $100,000 Ruling Angel Stakes. Tulsa Queen won on the Woodbine Tapeta earlier this year in the Duchess Stakes, earning a career-best 83 Beyer. Other contenders in the Ruling Angel include Duchess Stakes runner-up Just Be Kind and Way to Versailles.